Face to Face & Coronavirus

Hi furry

Good luck for next week, members of the forum will be rooting for you.

Gary

Hi JK2019

Here is the latest information I have in regards to the coronavirus, keep an eye out on our news link.

DWP sets out range of measures it will put into place to support employees and claimants affected by coronavirus.

New press release confirms that forthcoming legislation to make SSP payable from day one for people affected by the coronavirus will apply retrospectively from 13 March 2020.

The DWP has set out the range of measures it will put into place to support employees and claimants affected by the coronavirus.

In a new press release, 'Coronavirus support for employees, benefit claimants and businesses', the DWP confirms the previously announced temporary arrangements it will put into place to support people who are either infected by the virus or advised to self-isolate, including in relation to employees that -

people who cannot work due to coronavirus and are eligible for statutory sick pay will get it from day one, rather than from the fourth day of their illness - we intend to legislate so this measure applies retrospectively from 13 March 2020.

Statutory sick pay will be payable to people who are staying at home on government advice, not just those who are infected, from 13 March 2020 after regulations were laid on 12 March 2020 - employers are urged to use their discretion about what evidence, if any, they ask for.

if employees need to provide evidence to their employer that they need to stay at home due to coronavirus, they will be able to get it from the NHS 111 Online instead of having to get a fit note from their doctor - this is currently under development and will be made available soon.

Self-employed claimants on universal credit who are required to stay at home or are ill as a result of coronavirus will not have a minimum income Floor (an assumed level of income) applied for a period of time while affected.

In relation to existing benefit claimants, the government confirms that -
disabled and sick claimants who cannot attend a reassessment for personal independence payment ( PIP ), employment and support allowance ( ESA ) or universal credit will continue to receive their payments while their assessment is rearranged.

People who need to claim ESA or universal credit because of coronavirus will not be required to produce a fit note.

when claimants tell us in good time that they are staying at home or that they have been diagnosed with coronavirus, they will not be sanctioned – we will review their conditionality requirements in their claimant commitment, to ensure they are reasonable.

Claimants who are staying at home as a result of coronavirus will have their mandatory work search and work availability requirements removed to account for a period of sickness.

The government also confirms, in relation to new benefit claimants, that -
those affected by coronavirus will be able to apply for universal credit and can receive up to a month’s advance up front without physically attending a jobcentre.

The seven waiting days for ESA for new claimants will not apply if they are suffering from coronavirus or are required to stay at home – so it will be payable from day one.

For more information, see Coronavirus support for employees, benefit claimants and businesses from gov.uk www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-s...mants-and-businesses

Gary

Hi JK2019

No it does not mean that, unless you have to self isolate yourself due to being diagnosed with coronavirus, in which case contact the assessment centre, I would follow up with a call to DWP to let them also know.

The ESA legislation does not allow any extension of the time allowed to return the ESA questionnaire, the DWP can decide to accept a late return but there are no circumstances where they can change the return date that you have already received.

You need to send the questionnaire in the envelope provided, send it by recorded delivery/proof of posting.

Gary